Post by Sandgroper on Jul 19, 2007 2:43:00 GMT 10
Hi,
As a comparative newcomer to robotics I'm interested to hear people's opinions about which elements of robotics one should learn and in what order. Obviously kits, courses and texts are a great way to go, but not everybody has access to or can afford them!
I've seen plenty of sites that offer "tutorials" about robotics and electronics, but none that list a comprehensive set of objectives as a guideline for structured, self-paced learning.
A shortlist of where to start and what to tackle next would be invaluable for most beginners. For instance, these are some of the things that I think a beginner should do, and the order in which they should do them:
- Decide what type of robot you'd like to build.
- Do your research! Find out what skills and resources you'd need to build it.
- Make contact with other roboticists. Join a forum and / or a robotics club.
- If possible, start with a kit. Make sure it has plenty of expandability, and that it suits your skill level and budget.
- If you want to build one from scratch, then:
- Find out what you need and where you'd get it
- Buy the right tools
- Learn how to use a breadboard
- Learn how to read basic circuits
- Practise soldering
- Start building your library. Include datasheets, supplier's catalogues, robotics texts, forums and websites.
- Start with a "bug" design.
- Start a journal and document your progress for future reference
- Build a basic platform
- Add wheels, motors & power.
- Add whiskers
- Add LDR's (make a photovore)
- Add a thermistor
- Add LED's
- Add a speaker
- Add a microphone
- Add IR sensors
- Learn the basics of programming. "Basic" is a good place to start. Then move on to "C".
- Add a microcontroller
- Add motion detectors
- Add a range finder
- Add a head servo
- Add speech / speech recognition
- Add video / remote control
What else should be included in the list, and where?
Thanks,
Sandgroper.
As a comparative newcomer to robotics I'm interested to hear people's opinions about which elements of robotics one should learn and in what order. Obviously kits, courses and texts are a great way to go, but not everybody has access to or can afford them!
I've seen plenty of sites that offer "tutorials" about robotics and electronics, but none that list a comprehensive set of objectives as a guideline for structured, self-paced learning.
A shortlist of where to start and what to tackle next would be invaluable for most beginners. For instance, these are some of the things that I think a beginner should do, and the order in which they should do them:
- Decide what type of robot you'd like to build.
- Do your research! Find out what skills and resources you'd need to build it.
- Make contact with other roboticists. Join a forum and / or a robotics club.
- If possible, start with a kit. Make sure it has plenty of expandability, and that it suits your skill level and budget.
- If you want to build one from scratch, then:
- Find out what you need and where you'd get it
- Buy the right tools
- Learn how to use a breadboard
- Learn how to read basic circuits
- Practise soldering
- Start building your library. Include datasheets, supplier's catalogues, robotics texts, forums and websites.
- Start with a "bug" design.
- Start a journal and document your progress for future reference
- Build a basic platform
- Add wheels, motors & power.
- Add whiskers
- Add LDR's (make a photovore)
- Add a thermistor
- Add LED's
- Add a speaker
- Add a microphone
- Add IR sensors
- Learn the basics of programming. "Basic" is a good place to start. Then move on to "C".
- Add a microcontroller
- Add motion detectors
- Add a range finder
- Add a head servo
- Add speech / speech recognition
- Add video / remote control
What else should be included in the list, and where?
Thanks,
Sandgroper.